Software:Feeding Frenzy (video game)

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Short description: Arcade style video game
Feeding Frenzy
Cover from the Xbox 360 version.
Developer(s)Sprout Games
Publisher(s)GameHouse
Designer(s)James Gwertzman, Del Chafe and Ed Allard
SeriesFeeding Frenzy
Platform(s)Windows, Macintosh, Xbox, Xbox 360, Arcade
ReleaseFebruary 11, 2004
Mode(s)Single-player

Feeding Frenzy is a single-player mode and arcade-style aquatic video game written by Sprout Games, and published by PopCap Games. With an initial debut on February 11, 2004, it saw a re-release on the Xbox Live Arcade service, with versions for both the original Xbox and the Xbox 360. The Xbox 360 version, released on March 15, 2006, was the 17th most popular Xbox Live Arcade title for 2006.[1]

In February 2006, the sequel to this game, Feeding Frenzy 2 was released.[2]

In 2016 Feeding Frenzy was made available for Xbox One backwards compatibility and is free to members on EA Access.

Gameplay

In Feeding Frenzy, players control a hungry marine predator intent on munching as many other fish as possible. During the course of the game's 40 levels, they switch off between 5 marine animals. The last level is where they attempt to dethrone a large shark, the "Shark King", using Orville the Orca. The player takes on the role of different aquatic species each trying to move up the food chain. As smaller fish are eaten, the player's own fish grows in size and becomes capable of eating somewhat larger fish.[3] By the end of each level, the fish is sufficiently large enough that it can eat almost anything on-screen. Players must be vigilant for hazards which include depth charges, larger predators, naval mines, irradiated fish, and jellyfish.

If the player eats a sufficiently large number of fish in a short period of time, a score-enhancing Feeding Frenzy is initiated. If the player continues to rapidly consume other fish, a further Double Frenzy can be achieved. These both end when a short period of time without further rapid consumption elapses.

The full game includes both a normal mode and a "time attack" mode.[4]

Release

The free ActiveX version of Feeding Frenzy can be played online at websites such as the MSN Gaming Zone, but has only a limited number of levels. The Windows version, Feeding Frenzy Deluxe, is available for download as a trial, with the full version available for a fee. Additionally, Xbox and Xbox 360 versions exist. The original Xbox version is available via an Xbox Live Arcade disc from Microsoft, or from Official Xbox Magazine discs. The Xbox 360 version can be downloaded from the Xbox Live Marketplace, either as a free demo, or as a full version. This version is also included on the disc that comes with the Xbox Arcade bundle for the Xbox 360, alongside Pac-Man Championship Edition, Uno, Luxor 2, and Boom Boom Rocket. The Xbox 360 Pro and Elite versions include this version as one of the 16 game demos preloaded on the hard drive.

An arcade version was released by UltraCade Technologies which featured a ticket redemption system and an automated difficulty tuning system. The arcade cabinet also features built-in bubbler tanks on both sides with flowing water and artificial fish.[5][6]

Reception

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
TeamXbox7/10 (Xbox 360)[7]
IGN6.6/10 (Xbox 360)[8]
Eurogamer3/10 (Xbox 360)[3]

IGN criticized Feeding Frenzy's simple mechanics, lack of difficulty, and overall lack of depth, resulting in a score of 6.6 out of 10 for the Xbox 360 version. The review suggested that additional online elements could have helped with the title's otherwise limited lasting appeal.[8] TeamXbox also criticized the game's difficulty and replayability, suggesting that it may be better suited towards children. Despite considering Feeding Frenzy 'somewhat shallow', TeamXbox concluded that the game was still accessible and fun, awarding the Xbox 360 version a 7 out of 10.[7] Eurogamer gave the Xbox 360 version of Feeding Frenzy an overall score of three out of ten, expressing that while initially "charming in its simplicity", the game quickly becomes 'boring' and 'repetitive', further stating that every level is "just more of the same".[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Top Xbox Live Games of 2006". Majornelson.com. 2006-12-30. http://www.majornelson.com/archive/2006/12/30/2006-top-xbox-live-games.aspx. 
  2. ↑ "Feeding Frenzy 2 Song". PopCap Games. 2010-06-07. http://www.feedingfrenzy.com/feedingfrenzy2/extras/Feeding_Frenzy_2.mp2. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Reed, Kristan (March 21, 2006). "Feeding Frenzy" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_feedingfrenzy_x360. 
  4. ↑ "Extreme Gamer - Feeding Frenzy Xbox 360 Live Arcade Review". http://www.extremegamer.ca/xbox360/reviews/xla_feedingfrenzy.php. 
  5. ↑ "Ultracade Feeding Frenzy". 2006-12-11. http://www.mossdist.com/features/frenzy/frenzy.asp. 
  6. ↑ "Feeding Frenzy - Videogame by Ultracade Technologies". https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=13494. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Feeding Frenzy Review (Xbox 360)". IGN Entertainment. April 5, 2006. http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1152/Feeding-Frenzy/p1/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Onyett, Charles (March 17, 2006). "Feeding Frenzy". IGN Entertainment. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/696/696794p1.html. 
  • Feeding Frenzy website
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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